U.S. patent application number 11/478899 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-10 for universal battery adapter system.
Invention is credited to Willard Strom, George Velissaris.
Application Number | 20080007206 11/478899 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38918541 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080007206 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Velissaris; George ; et
al. |
January 10, 2008 |
Universal battery adapter system
Abstract
A battery interchangeability system having an application device
requiring a battery of a particular size, an insert device that can
be inserted into the application device in place of the required
battery, and a battery of a second size that is smaller than
original size so that at least one smaller battery can be inserted
into the insert device. It is also possible for multiple batteries
of a smaller size can be inserted into a single insert and used in
parallel or series. In particular, the larger cell size can be D, C
or AA size, while the smaller cell size can be C, AA or AAA size. A
second, smaller insert device can be used which is inserted into a
first, larger insert device with the battery or batteries inserted
into the smaller insert device. Optionally, several smaller
batteries can be placed around the axis of an insert device in a
turret arrangement. Batteries in this arrangement can be placed
into the device from either the top or side. An optional cap can be
used when the batteries are inserted from the top.
Inventors: |
Velissaris; George;
(Northbrook, IL) ; Strom; Willard; (Mundelein,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Clifford Kraft
320 Robin Hill Drive
Naperville
IL
60540
US
|
Family ID: |
38918541 |
Appl. No.: |
11/478899 |
Filed: |
June 30, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
320/106 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H01M 50/267 20210101;
H01M 50/20 20210101; Y02E 60/10 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
320/106 |
International
Class: |
H02J 7/00 20060101
H02J007/00 |
Claims
1. A battery interchangeability system comprising, in combination:
an insert device insertable into an application that requires at
least one battery of a first cell size; a plurality of batteries of
sizes different than said first cell size insertable into said
insert device, wherein said plurality of batteries power said
application.
2. The battery interchangeability system of claim 1 wherein said
insert device is side-loaded.
3. The battery interchangeability system of claim 1 wherein said
first cell size is chosen from the group consisting of D, C and
AA.
4. The battery interchangeability system of claim 1 wherein said
plurality of batteries is chosen from the group consisting of C, AA
and AAA.
5. The battery interchangeability system of claim 1 further
comprising a second insert device insertable into said first insert
device, at least one of said plurality of batteries insertable into
said second insert device.
6. The battery interchangeability system of claim 1 wherein said
plurality of batteries are held in said insert device in a turret
arrangement.
7. The battery interchangeability system of claim 6 wherein said
turret holds three AA cells.
8. The battery interchangeability system of claim 6 wherein said
turret holds four AAA cells.
9. The battery interchangeability system of claim 1 wherein said
insert device is made primarily from a polymer material.
10-14. (canceled)
15. A method of using a plurality of smaller battery cells to power
an application requiring a larger battery cell comprising: placing
an insert having an outer diameter approximately equal to said
larger battery size into said application in place of said larger
battery; placing a plurality of batteries of said smaller battery
size into said insert, said insert adapted to receive said smaller
batteries; providing electrical conductivity from battery
electrodes in said application to said smaller batteries so that
said smaller batteries power, or partially power, said
application.
16. The method of claim 15 wherein said larger battery size is
chosen from the group consisting of D, C and AA.
17. The method of claim 15 wherein said smaller battery size is
chosen from the group consisting of C, AA and AAA.
18. The method of claim 15 wherein said insert is made
substantially of a polymer material.
19. The method of claim 15 wherein said smaller battery size and
said insert have a length approximately equal.
20. A battery replacement insert comprising a cylinder with outer
diameter approximately equal to a first standard round battery cell
size and inner diameter approximately equal to a second standard
round battery cell size, wherein a plurality of batteries of said
second cell size can replace a battery of said first cell size by
inserting said batteries of said second cell size into said insert
and inserting said insert into an application requiring a battery
of said first cell size.
21. A universal battery re-sizer comprising: a first substantially
cylindrical battery insert shell with inside diameter approximately
equal to a first battery size outer diameter and outside diameter
approximately equal to a second battery size outer diameter; a
second substantially cylindrical battery insert shell with inside
diameter approximately, equal to said second battery size outer
diameter and outside diameter approximately equal to a third
battery size outer diameter; wherein, alternatively: a battery of
said first size can be inserted into said first insert, and said
insert inserted into an application requiring a battery of said
second batter size, or a battery of said second size can be
inserted into said second insert, and said second insert can be
inserted into an application requiring a battery of said third
size, or a battery of said first size can be inserted into said
first insert, said first insert can be inserted into said second
insert, and said second insert can be inserted into an application
requiring a battery of said third size, and wherein when said first
or second insert containing at least one battery is inserted into
an application, said battery powers said application.
22. The universal battery re-sizer of claim 20 wherein said first
battery size is AA.
23. The universal battery re-sizer of claim 20 wherein said second
battery size is C.
24. The universal battery re-sizer of claim 20 wherein said third
battery size is D.
25. The universal battery re-sizer of claim 20 wherein said first
battery size is AAA.
Description
BACKGROUND
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to batteries and
more particularly to a universal battery adapter system that allows
smaller batteries to be used in applications designed for larger
batteries.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] It is known in the art to use numerous different battery
cells in various applications. Many of these cells produce an
output voltage of approximately 1.5 volts. Of this type, there are
D cells, A cells, AA cells and AAA cells in common use. It is
annoying for a typical consumer to have numerous pieces of
equipment like flashlights, TV controls, game controls, cameras,
GPS units, radios, etc. that all use different sized batteries with
the same output voltage.
[0005] If an AA cell could be substituted for a C cell, it has been
computed that it lasts about half as long under the same load.
However, an AA cell costs only one third what a C cell costs. The
same time/cost ratio holds approximately between other cell
sizes.
[0006] It would be advantageous to have a universal battery adapter
system that would allow different sized 1.5 volt batteries to be
substituted for one-another in a particular application.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] The present invention relates to a battery
interchangeability system where an application device requiring a
battery of a particular cell size (such as a flashlight, music
device, radio, etc.) can receive an insert device or other device
in place of the required battery. One or more batteries of a second
cell size smaller than original cell size can be put into the
insert device, and power, or partially power the application
device. In some embodiments of the invention, multiple batteries of
a smaller size can be put into a single insert and used in parallel
or series. In particular, the larger cell size can be D, C or AA,
while the smaller cell size can be C, AA or AAA. In some
embodiments of the invention, a second, smaller insert device can
be used which is inserted into a first, larger insert device with
the battery or batteries inserted into the smaller insert
device.
[0008] In other embodiments of the present invention several
smaller batteries can be placed around the axis of an insert device
in a turret arrangement. Batteries in this arrangement can be
placed into the device from the top or side (top-loaded or
side-loaded). An optional cap can be used when the batteries are
inserted from the top. Multiple inserts of varying size can also be
used.
[0009] A particular embodiment of the invention uses a generally
cylindrical battery insert with a central longitudinal axis, a top
end and a bottom end, where the bottom end has a bottom outer
surface. The insert can have an outside diameter and length
approximately equal to that of a first standard cylindrical battery
cell type (such as a D cell). The insert can contain an
approximately cylindrical cavity concentric with the central
longitudinal axis where the cavity has an inside diameter
approximately equal to the outside diameter of a second standard
cylindrical battery cell type (such as an AA cell). The cavity can
have an open top end coincident with the top end of the insert and
a closed or partially closed bottom end in proximity to the bottom
end of the insert. The bottom end of the cavity can contain an
electrode electrically linking the outer bottom surface of the
insert with the inner surface of the bottom of the cavity.
Generally, the cavity can have a length measured from the open top
end to the inner bottom surface that is approximately equal to that
of the second standard battery type; however, it can be shorter. In
this manner, a battery of the second standard cylindrical battery
type can be inserted into the cavity, and the insert can be placed
into a device requiring a battery of said first standard
cylindrical battery type. In this way, the battery of the second
standard battery type can power the device.
[0010] Other embodiments of the present invention can contain
washers or endcaps or be cylinders fitted with internal or external
fins.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1A shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the
present invention with one cell inserting into a larger size.
[0012] FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of an insert showing
internal detail.
[0013] FIG. 2 shows the use of two inserts.
[0014] FIG. 3 shows a small cell such as an AAA cell inserted into
a much larger cell such as a D cell.
[0015] FIG. 4 shows size differences between D cells, C cells, AA
cells and AAA cells.
[0016] FIGS. 5A-5B show a cross-section of an embodiment of the
invention.
[0017] FIG. 6 shows the use of two D cell or C cell inserts in a
flashlight allowing AA or AAA cells to be used.
[0018] FIGS. 7A-7C show a turret arrangement where several AA or
AAA cells can be used in parallel in a much larger insert such as a
D cell size.
[0019] FIG. 8 shows an insert that is shorter than the battery it
receives.
[0020] FIGS. 9A-9B show open bottom embodiments of the present
invention. FIG. 9B also shows a two cell embodiment.
[0021] FIGS. 10A-10B show "washer" or "endcap" embodiments.
[0022] FIGS. 11A-11D show various frame or fin type
embodiments.
[0023] Several drawings and illustrations have been presented to
better aid in understanding the present invention. The scope of the
present invention is not limited to what is shown in the
figures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] The present invention relates to the use of an insert or
system of inserts that permit smaller cylindrical battery cells to
work in applications that normally require larger diameter cells.
An example of one use of the present invention is to use AA or AAA
cells to power a flashlight or other device designed to use C or D
cells. Alternatively, AAA cells can be used to power devices
designed for AA or larger cells, etc. The use of smaller cells has
several advantages. The next-sized smaller cell normally lasts
about 1/2 the time of a particular cell; however, it generally only
costs 1/3 the price. This leads to a cost advantage. Another
advantage of the present invention is that a user can outfit a
suite of electronic equipment to use only one size battery cell
(such as AA or AAA) even though each piece of equipment was
designed to use different size cells. This provides a major
advantage since the user can purchase the single cell size in much
larger quantities, leading to even more cost savings.
[0025] In an alternate embodiment to be described, the user can
place several smaller cells such as AAA cells in a turret type
insert where 3 or 4 cells can be used in parallel. In this
arrangement, the use-life can be the same, or greater, than that of
the original cell size with the cost advantages discussed above of
quantity buying of a single smaller cell size.
[0026] A particular example of use of the present invention can be
found in flashlight sets that are popular. These sets contain
several different sized flashlights. Each size may require
different cell sizes. Using the present invention, the user needs
purchase one or at most two cell sizes. For example, the user could
outfit the entire suite for AAA size cells, or alternatively, the
user could use AAA for the smallest light and then outfit all the
remaining lights for AA size cells. If the user chose to use only
AAA cells, AAA cells might be used in the smallest light, a single
AA to AAA insert in the next sized light, and AAA cells in a turret
arrangement in the largest light.
[0027] A particular embodiment of the present invention is shown in
FIG. 1A and includes a cylindrical insert that converts one
particular cell size to another. This insert resembles a coffee-cup
structure. The structure of this embodiment can resemble a coffee
cup with no handle. A first cell type such as a C size cell 3 can
be converted to a D size cell using an insert 1. The insert 1 can
contain a cavity 2 that is adapted to receive the smaller battery
3. The insert 1 can itself then be directly put into the
application device exactly as if it were itself a cell of the
correct size.
[0028] FIG. 1B shows a perspective view of the insert 1 from FIG.
1A where internal details can be seen. The cavity 2 is normally
open on the top and has a floor or bottom that matches the length
of the smaller cell. A conductor 5 can pass through the base of the
insert to present an open surface 4 on the outside bottom of the
insert. This surface 4 can make electrical contact with the spring
or any other negative electrical contact of the receiving
apparatus, and provide electrical conductivity through to the
bottom to the negative contact of the battery at the surface 5. The
conductor can be any type of metal such as copper, brass, aluminum,
steel or any other metal or alloy. The contact does not need to
fill the entire bottom of the cavity, but can be a smaller button,
spring or any other type of conductive contact. The preferred
method is to make the surface 4 protrude a small amount outward to
make positive contact. This is optional however, and a flush
surface will work.
[0029] The length of the insert 1 can be such that the top of the
inserted battery 3 shows its positive button protruding above the
open top of the cavity 2 so that it can make contact with the
positive electrode of the apparatus or another battery or insert;
however, it is possible to use a half-length or any other length
insert as long as it holds the battery 3 in position (See FIG. 8).
In this manner, the battery 3 can power, or partially power, the
apparatus. The insert 1 can be made of any rigid or semi-rigid
material with insulating materials like polymers such as various
plastics or Teflon being preferred. A particularly good plastic is
polypropylene. Wood or even scrap metal can be used if care is used
to insulate the electrical part of the device from the rest. Any
rigid or semi-rigid material is within the scope of the present
invention. It is also possible to use closed cell film or other
foam or spongy material. An advantage of a foam or film material is
that it can give buoyancy to product in water. A particular example
might be a flashlight that would otherwise sink in water becoming
buoyant by using a insert of the present invention made from closed
cell film or from foam.
[0030] FIG. 2 shows an alternate embodiment of the present
invention. Here two (or more) successively smaller insert devices
can be used concentrically. For example, an insert 1 that converts
a D cell size to a C cell size can receive an insert 6 that
converts the C cell size to a AA cell size. A battery 3 can be put
into the second insert 6. Any number of inserts can be used in
tandem (either concentrically or in any other arrangement). As
previously described, a different insert making only a single cell
conversion can also be used (see FIG. 3).
[0031] FIG. 3 shows an embodiment of the present invention where a
small battery cell 3 such as AA or AAA cell size is inserted into a
much larger cell size such as D with a thick insert 1. This
embodiment can be used in place of the multiple inserts shown in
FIG. 2.
[0032] FIG. 4 shows a comparison of the heights and diameters of
commonly used cells. A D cell has a height of around 2/14 inch (not
counting the button) with a diameter of around 11/4 inch. A C cell
has a height of around 17/8 inch and a diameter of around 1 inch.
An AA cell also has height of around 17/8 inch with a diameter of
around 9/16 inch, and an AAA cell has a height of around 1 11/16
inch with a diameter of around 7/16 inch. It can be seen from FIG.
4 that as cell sizes decrease in diameter, they also decrease in
height (except for C and AA which have the same height).
[0033] FIGS. 5A and 5B show a cross-section of a particular
embodiment of the invention. The insert 1 contains a cavity 2 with
a closed bottom. In the bottom of the cavity 2 contains an
electrical conductor with a surface 5 facing the inside of the
cavity and a surface 4 facing the bottom outside of the insert 1.
The cavity 2 can be adapted to receive a battery 3 that fits into
the cavity so that the bottom conductive end of the battery mates
with the inner conductive surface 5, and the button on the top end
of the battery 3 can protrude out of the top of the cavity 2. In
this manner, when the insert is placed into an application device,
the bottom outside surface 4 can contact the negative electrode
from the application or the positive button of another battery or
insert, and the button can contact the positive electrode of the
application device or the bottom of another battery or insert.
Thus, an electrical circuit is completed, and the battery in the
insert 1 can power, or partially power, the application.
[0034] FIG. 6 shows two of the inserts from FIG. 5 used in a
flashlight application 7. Each insert 1 normally contains a smaller
battery 3 with the inserts placed in the flashlight in place of
larger cells such as D cells or C cells. The smaller batteries 3
can be AA or AAA cells (or C cells if the flashlight normally takes
D cells). The result is an efficient replacement of the costlier
larger cells.
[0035] FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C show an alternative embodiment of the
present invention. In this embodiment, several smaller cells 3 are
placed in an insert 1 and arranged in a turret fashion (like shells
in a revolver). In this embodiment, a cap 8 can fit over the body
of the insert 1 to close it. The cap can contain a top button
electrode 9 that is connected on its lower side to several contacts
11. The contacts can optionally be mounted on pads or springs 10.
Electrical conductors 12 can connect the contacts 11 to the bottom
of the central button 13. The conductors 12 can also optionally act
as springs to assure secure contact with the top buttons on the
batteries 3. The bottom of the insert can contain a conductive
surface 5 that allows electrical current to flow from the outside
outer surface 4 of the insert 1, thus completing the circuit. While
a spring force is desirable between the cap 8 and insert 1, actual
springs are optional. Any method of making contact with the
batteries is within the scope of the present invention.
[0036] An alternate version of the embodiment of FIGS. 7A-7C can
load the batteries from the side rather than from the top. In this
case, the top cap can be fixed with the batteries mounted turret
style in the insert. It should be noted that turrets can be made
with two, three or four batteries depending on the battery cell
size and the insert size (assuming current standard battery sizes).
For example, a D size turret could hold three AA cells or four AAA
cells.
[0037] In still another alternate embodiment of the invention,
batteries can be placed in the insert device in series (where they
are electrically connected in series). In this embodiment, the
insert acts to hold the batteries end-to-end so that the result is
a multiple of the battery cell voltage.
[0038] FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of the invention
where the insert 1 is shorter than the battery 3 it receives. The
insert 1 can be any length as long as it holds the battery in
position to power the application device. FIGS. 9A and 9B show open
body embodiments of the invention. When an AA cell is used in place
of a C cell, the entire bottom of the cavity 14 can be left open
because the lengths of the AA cell and C cell are the same. This
allows the base of the inserted battery to directly make electrical
contact without any plug or other conductor. FIG. 9B shows a double
length version of the present invention that can hold two or more
smaller cells. If the conversion is from AA to C size, the bottom
14 can again left open as shown in FIG. 9B. For different
conversions, the embodiment of FIG. 9B can be modified to have a
solid bottom with a conductor like that of FIG. 8. The present
invention can be made any length to hold any number of batteries of
the same or different sizes.
[0039] FIG. 10A shows a "washer" type embodiment of the invention.
Here two disks 15 hold the battery 3 in place. The diameter of the
disks 15 can match the outside diameter of the cell being replaced.
The embodiment of FIG. 10A is useful for AA to C replacement where
the lengths are the same. FIG. 10 B shows a similar embodiment with
and "endcap" arrangement 16. This embodiment can be used with
different conversions where the lengths may be different.
[0040] FIG. 11A shows a "frame" embodiment of the invention where
the disk 15 and the endcap 16 are held spaced apart by struts or
strips 17 forming side members.
[0041] FIGS. 11B-11C show an embodiment of the invention where a
cylinder 1 is made with a particular wall thickness and fins 18
extend inward to match the outside diameter of the inserted battery
3. While four fins are shown in FIGS. 11B-11C, three or any other
number can be used.
[0042] FIG. 11D shows a variation of the embodiment of FIGS.
11B-11C where the fins 19 face outward instead of inward. In this
case the cylinder 1 matches the diameter of the inserted battery
while the fins 19 match the outside diameter of the cell being
replaced.
[0043] Several descriptions and illustrations have been presented
to better aid in understanding the present invention. One skilled
in the art will realize that many changes and variations can be
made without departing from the spirit of the invention. All such
changes and variations are within the scope of the present
invention. In particular, any device that replaces one battery cell
size with another is within the scope of the present invention.
* * * * *